G
Guest
·I added my 2 cents recently to a review and didn't qualify my statements - "it all sucks". Mcv10 asked a good question - did I see these issues during a test drive? - No, I did not have that opportunity. The unit was picked up as a replacement for my 2005 Grand Caravan sxt - which I loved every bit. Extremely comfortable, cruised beautifully and loads of room for everything. Enough about that. I would like to share my observations about the Nitro.
Probably everyone knows by now that the heater does not work well.It seems to make a lot of noise and blows very little air especially to the drivers feet.
Yes there are tranmission/drivetrain issues. I've had mine flashed which helped a bit but the vibration and groan are still there and there is a "flat" spot on the accelerator when trying to pick up under light load when driving at city speeds. I also have a steady vibration on the highway ( already switched tires ). The dealer is going to look at this if I ever get the chance to get back in.
The wind noise from the windshield on the highway is at times - deafening.
Depends on the direction of course.
The ABS scared the he** out of me the day I picked the unit up. (I'll prequalify the next bit before anyone judges my driving abiltiy. I have been driving for 33 years and on the road for the last 18 and have never come this close to ditching. My Caravan had abs but it never reacted so poorly )
There was a little snow and it was slippery. The unit had the factory tires which looked like they would be good in at least light snow but I was wrong.
I was travelling on a city street at speed and had about 3 car lenghts when I had to stop but I just couldn't due to the ABS. It just let the wheels keep turning because of the little bit of snow on the road. It just kept going and going like the commercial says. I had to put the right front wheel off the pavement so I wouldn't rear-end the next car. I put $1000 worth of snow tires on but it still scares me. My wife's Hyundai doe not have abs and you can count on it to stop.
The ESP is another hazard and insult. I discovered it takes power from the wheels and applies the brakes as it seems fit to drive the vehicle for you.
Too bad it was when I was pulling from an intersection with oncoming traffic that it decided to bog the engine as the rear wheels slipped a bit. I now drive with the esp OFF at all times. If I'm going to get "T-Boned", I want it to be my mistake.
The high beam headlights don't cast the light properly, it seems to get darker when their on.
The missing trans dipstick is explained that they have to compare the fluid level on the dealer dipstick with the dealer temperature scanner to ensure an accurate level. In my opinion, it's just a way to get you in the door. I do my own service as I don't have the time to waste at the dealer for minor maintenance.
For the adventurous type only - I wondered how the brakes would work without the abs so I pulled a fuse and took it on to the clear quiet highway.
That's how real brakes work. I can't go in to details but the overall performance was greatly improved without abs/esp/blah,blah,blah.
This does cause the engine light to come on but the code clears after a few restarts when everything is put back to "normal"
I don't have any more time but I hope things get better for Chrysler because they have had some very fine products. The Nitro is not one of them.
Thanks
Probably everyone knows by now that the heater does not work well.It seems to make a lot of noise and blows very little air especially to the drivers feet.
Yes there are tranmission/drivetrain issues. I've had mine flashed which helped a bit but the vibration and groan are still there and there is a "flat" spot on the accelerator when trying to pick up under light load when driving at city speeds. I also have a steady vibration on the highway ( already switched tires ). The dealer is going to look at this if I ever get the chance to get back in.
The wind noise from the windshield on the highway is at times - deafening.
Depends on the direction of course.
The ABS scared the he** out of me the day I picked the unit up. (I'll prequalify the next bit before anyone judges my driving abiltiy. I have been driving for 33 years and on the road for the last 18 and have never come this close to ditching. My Caravan had abs but it never reacted so poorly )
There was a little snow and it was slippery. The unit had the factory tires which looked like they would be good in at least light snow but I was wrong.
I was travelling on a city street at speed and had about 3 car lenghts when I had to stop but I just couldn't due to the ABS. It just let the wheels keep turning because of the little bit of snow on the road. It just kept going and going like the commercial says. I had to put the right front wheel off the pavement so I wouldn't rear-end the next car. I put $1000 worth of snow tires on but it still scares me. My wife's Hyundai doe not have abs and you can count on it to stop.
The ESP is another hazard and insult. I discovered it takes power from the wheels and applies the brakes as it seems fit to drive the vehicle for you.
Too bad it was when I was pulling from an intersection with oncoming traffic that it decided to bog the engine as the rear wheels slipped a bit. I now drive with the esp OFF at all times. If I'm going to get "T-Boned", I want it to be my mistake.
The high beam headlights don't cast the light properly, it seems to get darker when their on.
The missing trans dipstick is explained that they have to compare the fluid level on the dealer dipstick with the dealer temperature scanner to ensure an accurate level. In my opinion, it's just a way to get you in the door. I do my own service as I don't have the time to waste at the dealer for minor maintenance.
For the adventurous type only - I wondered how the brakes would work without the abs so I pulled a fuse and took it on to the clear quiet highway.
That's how real brakes work. I can't go in to details but the overall performance was greatly improved without abs/esp/blah,blah,blah.
This does cause the engine light to come on but the code clears after a few restarts when everything is put back to "normal"
I don't have any more time but I hope things get better for Chrysler because they have had some very fine products. The Nitro is not one of them.
Thanks
